church Archives

Have You Heard About this Christian Scandal?

What if I told you there’s a story circulating within the national media today about a controversial female Christian evangelist who’s wrapped up in a scandal of major proportions?

Would you be shocked?

Are you cringing right now, wondering who the “she” may be?

To be sure, the details of the story are sordid.

The married evangelist in question has been rumored to have had several extramarital affairs, even one with a well-known Hollywood celebrity. Known for her progressive theology, some have accused her of peddling feminist propaganda in the midst of her preaching.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, entertainment, faith, pop culture November 15, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Noah’s Ark Delayed by Rain?

Both theologians and management consultants like to point out that it wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

They’re right, of course. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of the Darren Aronofsky-directed film, Noah, scheduled to release in 2014.

The forthcoming movie starring Russell Crowe and Emma Watson was forced to suspend production in both Brooklyn and on Long Island earlier this week due to the arrival of Hurricane Sandy.

Unlike in the real Noah’s day, though, the Hollywood-produced ark was heavily damaged in the storm.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, news November 1, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Three Things Parents and Kids Can Do About Hurricane Sandy

The sun is shining here in Colorado Springs this afternoon, but as you all know, Hurricane Sandy is bearing down on the East Coast. Forecasters are suggesting the developing storm is of epic proportions and will paralyze life for days to come for those in the impacted areas.

Natural disasters are among the most peculiar of all human challenges, aren’t they?

Simply put, we’re defenseless against the cyclical and sometimes catastrophic reality of our environment. In a day and age when man seems to have conquered so many of life’s difficulties, it’s still impossible to tame the earth’s weather, be it the wind, the waves or the rain.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, pro-life October 29, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why Brit Hume Saw the Face of God

FOX News viewers are familiar with Brit Hume, the popular political commentator and journalist. The 69-year-old television veteran is the network’s senior analyst and a keen observer of culture. Earlier this year I had the pleasure of sitting down with Brit for an extended conversation during a visit to Washington D.C. I found him to be a true gentleman, and he shared with me a little bit about the painful death of his son, Sandy, to suicide.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, policy October 24, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

UPDATE: Texas Cheerleaders Granted Temporary Victory

Two weeks ago I shared with you news out of Kountze, Texas, that a group of high school cheerleaders were forced into court when their school district prohibited them from displaying banners with Bible verses at football games.

Last week, the judge in the case issued a temporary injunction, which allows the young women to continue creating and displaying the signs for the remainder of the season. A trial date was set for June 24, 2013.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, news October 22, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Tim Keller: The Five Things You Need in Life

There are five things that comprise a wise, godly life. They function both as means to becoming wise and godly as well as signs that you are growing into such a life:

1. Put your heart’s deepest trust in God and his grace. Every day remind yourself of his unconditioned, covenantal love for you. Do not instead put your hopes in idols or in your own performance.

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, pastors, relationships October 5, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Six Myths Christians Believe About Politics

After nearly a year of toiling away on the project, my latest book, ReFocus: Living a Life that Reflects God’s Heart, will be released next month.

What’s it all about?

I don’t want to give it all away, but if there is one theme woven throughout all the pages of the book, it would be this:

Are we more concerned with shaping (and winning) the debate than we are with shaping and refining our own attitudes toward the world?

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, policy, relationships September 12, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Do You Live in a Generous State?

A recent study commissioned by the Chronicle of Philanthropy revealed something that won’t surprise many people of faith: the more “religious” a state or region of the country, the more likely its people are to give generously to charity.

Here are the top ten most charitable states:

1. Utah

2. Mississippi

3. Alabama

4. Tennessee

5. South Carolina

6. Idaho

7. Arkansas

8. Georgia

9. North Carolina

10. Maryland

All of the bottom five states are located in the New England area: Rhode Island (46), Massachusetts (47), Vermont (48), Maine (49) and New Hampshire (50).

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, news, pop culture September 6, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Miserable Christians

It surprises me when many Christians engage in work to redeem the culture with a somber, morose, and even anxious spirit. I don’t pretend to be smarter or more spiritually mature than anyone else, but this particular attitude is curious and even a bit contradictory.

Have you ever encountered this from time to time?

A dear friend of mine who is a pastor once preached on an uplifting text of Scripture. He spoke of God’s sovereignty and perfect will, of His love and goodness and graciousness.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, faith, pastors September 4, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Should Churches Display the American Flag?

With the opening of the Republican National Convention this week and the Democratic Convention next, the American flag will be front and center as members of both parties proudly fly and wave the red, white and blue.

It’s difficult to put into words the emotions and sentiments that stir when the Stars and Stripes ripple in the breeze. When you know that men and women have died in its defense, you can’t help but stand a little straighter when you see it.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, pastors, policy August 28, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura